Catherine Kaye Lillian McKenzie Duke

Each one of us has our own memories of Catherine Lillian McKenzie Locke Duke. However, there is a beginning to her story. She was born March 27th, 1921 in Seattle General Hospital.

Her parents were Margaret Henry Main (Gramma Tinnie to many of us) who was born Oct. 29, 1884 in Burghead, Morayshire, Scotland and John (Jock Twenty) McKenzie who was born September II, 1885, also in Burghead, Scotland. Maggie moved to Montreal, Canada, where she worked until her father's illness brought her back to Scotland to care for him. There she married John McKenzie on June 29, 1917. After World War I they immigrated to The United States, landing in New York in 1919. After clearing customs at Ellis Island they headed by train for Seattle, where they took up residence and became naturalized citizens in 1925. They eventually settled at the family residence at 2509 S. Orcus St., where they remained until their health failed. The McKenzie's celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1967. Maggie bore seven children, loosing one daughter in infancy.

Elspeth Jean - January I, 1920 - Nov., 1978; Catherine Lillian; John Victor May 23, 1922 deceased; Margaret Rosemary Jan. 9, 1924 deceased; David Main; James LaVerne June 7, 1933.

In the very ear1y days John and Maggie attended the Congregational Church in the Beacon Hill area. The death of their infant daughter brought a sincere dedication to a life in Christ. They became faithful members of Brother Jack's Gospel Mission Church near 12th and Jackson Street. This is where our beloved Catherine received her first teaching of Christian life to which she has remained ever faithful and devoted.

Known to many of us as Gramma Kay or Aunt Kay, she is also known as a strong Christian woman who has witnessed her undying faith and devotion to her Lord Jesus Christ every day in every way since receiving her faith filled training at her own Christian home and as a child attending the full gospel mission church of her parents.

One of her fond memories is of her high school Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Baldwin, who gave her a bible verse to memorize each Sunday which continued to deepen her faith and knowledge of the Lord.

Another memory as a high school student is of being invited to attend an after school Bible Club called "The Radio Gospel Train", led by Willis Shank, who later became a Seattle Youth for Christ Director. The group would meet at the Seattle Y.M.C.A. They would then walk down to the Smith Tower, travel up to the top floor, and put on a Christian radio program. The words from one of their favorite songs remains with her today: "We care not the church you belong to, just so long as for Calvary you stand... So loved in your hearts as our hearts... you're our brothers, so give us your hand."

When a junior in high school she met and started dating a young man, named Donald Locke, who was attending Dunlap Baptist Church. They attended church together in 1937 and were married in 1939. They had three sons, Thomas Raymond, Gary Newton and Timothy John and two daughters, Marilyn Jean and Carolyn Rose. The family continued to attend Dunlap Baptist Church and raised their family loving the Lord.

The family suffered a terrible loss when their oldest son Tommy, was killed in by a drunk driver in 1962.Tommy had intended to turn out for the Seattle semi-pro baseball team after work that day.

She was married to Robert Duke in July of 1980. He had two sons of his own, Robert Jr. and Brian. Robert and Kay continued to attend Dunlap Baptist Church and were both active in church activities. Kay worked in the pre-school Sunday school department, playing piano for them. She also sang in and directed the choir, as well as being active in women's work, and served as Deaconess.

Including both families, Gramma Kay now has 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grand children, all of whom she dearly loves. She loves nothing better than to be together with all her children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces around her, especially attending church together.

Kay spent twenty years at Rainier beach High School working as a Data Processing Clerk, retiring in 1985. During her time at Rainier Beach she was very proud to have organized the Baccalaureate Services in 1985. It was held at Dunlap Baptist church with the Reverend Ken Hutcheson as guest speaker.

Kay's life and memories have revolved around Dunlap and her deep faith in the Lord. Sharing her deep and abiding faith with others remained an integral part of her life.

“ ...time does not really exist for mothers, with regard to their children. It does not matter greatly how old the child is - in the blink of an eye, a mother can see the child again as it was when it was born, when it learned to walk, as it was at any age - at any time, even when the child is fully grown and a parent itself." Diana Gabaldon

Arrangements under the direction of Greenwood Funeral Home, Renton, WA.